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First thing you should know is that endos have extremely tight schedules ~ any questions you have should be written down so you won’t forget to ask them. In a hyperthyroid state, you might even want to consider having someone join you for the appointment ~ a friend or family member can be very helpful, just as another set of ears so you can check your recollection. You might even want to take a recorder of some kind ~ some doctors don’t like that, others welcome the opportunity to be sure that you can refer to their comments again later.
We have found that many endocrinologists tend to have thought through the options and decided there’s one they prefer, so they will try to tell you that it’s the "right choice," before allowing you the opportunity to make that choice. It’s fine that they have an opinion, but it is YOUR choice. Learn all you can about your three options (ATDs ~ methimazole, in most cases, or RAI, or surgery) prior to your appointment. If you haven’t fully decided which you prefer, ask the doctor any questions that have come up for you about one or another of them. You can take ATDs for a while, just to get your levels in check, without being forced to make any "final" decision, and sometimes it helps to get your brain back in operating condition so you really feel like you CAN make the decision for the long term. In addition, it helps to find out how you feel and how your body reacts to ATDs.
There are pros and cons to each of the potential treatment choices, and so it depends on your own personal circumstances which one looks best to you. That’s why we recommend making the choice yourself.
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Hi,
I would also recommend you start getting copies of all your lab results and start keeping a record of how you feel at various levels (specific symptoms, how often etc.) as you go through your treatment. Also, get a copy of any labs your GP ran to help diagnose you. It is at least something to do while you wait. It really helped me to have a notebook/small binder in my hand to write down questions and answers at my appointments and to track my labwork in.
Laurel
Hi, all! I was diagnoised with Graves’ Disease last Thursday – confirmed by an uptake scan ordered by my family doctor. The onset of my GD seemed pretty sudden – my first indication that something was going on was not being able to complete my daily 3.5 mile run without feeling like I was having a heart attack. Then I noticed the tremors, rapid heart beat even while resting and the seven pound weight loss in three days. My attempts at self-diagnosis via the web introduced me to GD and once I read the symptoms, I was amazed at how many of them I had been having for several years. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist next week and was wondering what to expect? I’m ready to take control of my body again and waiting for this appointment is consuming my days…
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I’d do as much research on treatment options as you can. I was deadset on trying medication before doing any sort of RAI or surgery–when he mentioned my three choices I told him I wanted to try to treat medically and that was it. He said okay, explained it all too me and sent me off with a prescription.
I would have someone go with you, my husband went with me and he was helpful during the Q&A session with the doctor/assistant. Plus it feels great to have someone there "in your corner" so to speak. Good luck!
Well – I made it through the appt even though they left me sitting for longer than necessary as they forgot that I needed blood drawn. My husband was a big help with the questions (asking several I had forgotten about). I’m starting on Tapazole for six weeks to get my levels down. The dr is strongly suggesting RAI but I’m not totally convinced that’s the way I want to go yet. Glad I have a little time to decide. Thanks for everyone’s help and suggestions!
Use this time to do research, think about it and pray about it. Do not let the doctors make up your mind for you—my general doc was all for RAI, when I mentioned medicinal he was like "no". But with my endo I told him I didn’t want RAI, I wanted to try medicinal first. He seemed a little doubtful but agreed–it is your choice.
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